Chronically Ill Woman and Husband With Alzheimer's

Severe Chronically Ill Wife and Husband With Severe Alzheimer's Disease Have No Where To Turn

Clarissa Shepherd, pictured here, is an amazing woman considering the life she has led. She worked in a high-powered position until she started getting sick. She suffered terrible pain and crushing exhaustion. She spent the next 12 years of her life bed-ridden and house-bound.

Clarissa was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Fibromyalgia, both causing relentless tiredness and overwhelming all-over pain. She was unable to complete life skills like cooking, food shopping, cleaning, working, etc.. It was so severe, she needed help eating and completing personal hygiene. She slowly started to come back to herself, but was still very limited in what she could do.

Jerry, her wonderful husband, worked and helped her through those awful years. Jerry was diagnosed with Alheimer's several years ago. Clarissa started taking over more of the household chores as best she could. This has prevented her from getting necessary rest, critically important with her illnesses.

Jerry worked until his Alzheimer's prevented him from working. Recently Jerry was hospitalized with a bad infection. While there, his appendix ruptured, leading to an appendectomy. The infection put him into a coma, necessitating the Intensive Care Unit. Once the doctors awoke him, he could not walk, feed himself, or attend to any bodily needs. With special medication, Jerry very slightly improved and was dismissed to go home. He has been receiving speech and language services as well as occupational therapy at home.

Jerry has Aphasia, which affects his ability to process, use, and/or understand language. He is relearning the ABC's and counting, for example.

Jerry's Alzheimer's has progressed and he recently ran away, scaring Clarissa. She went out looking for him, but when she couldn't find him, she had to call the police. They found him several miles away wandering around in the rain, totally lost.

There is no cure for any of these heartbreaking illnesses. Bills are piling up. Clarissa is afraid she is on the tip of spiraling back into her bedridden days and losing everything... her home, her husband, and becoming homeless, not able to pay the bills.

This is a desperate situation for two caring, sweet people who need your help. Anything you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.